Music

“Hear the voice of fallen soldiers crying from the dust,

Praying we will not forget their final gift to us.” (1)

These poignant lyrics remind us of the more somber meaning of the yearly patriotic celebrations that are held throughout our blessed nation. Somewhere amidst the fireworks, parades, flag-waving, and happy celebrations of our free nation, there must be a quiet time of reflection on the high price many have paid for these freedoms we cherish. As our hearts turn to them in profound gratitude, we must firmly resolve that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

Through my friendship and musical collaboration with Senator Orrin G. Hatch I have been involved in pondering and composing many patriotic songs and have become more keenly aware of the courage of our servicemen and women and also the lifetime burdens borne by those who suffer debilitating injuries, both physical and mental, from their service. I want to share three stories and songs in tribute to them, and particularly in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate price.

A Special Song Commission

In 1998, The Immortal Chaplains Foundation of Minneapolis, Minnesota approached Orrin and me with a commission to compose a special commemorative song for their organization whose goal is “to perpetuate the legacy of four Immortal Chaplains’ whose example of love for others without regard to race, religion or creed, acknowledges the potential for human compassion.” Upon learning their story we were most honored to do so.

In 1943 the submarine U-223 fired a torpedo that hit the midsection of the Dorchester, a U.S. army troopship with more than 900 men on board. Ammonia and oil were everywhere in the fast-sinking vessel. The ship was 100 miles off the coast of Greenland and going down quickly in the icy sea.

The four chaplains on board-two Protestant pastors, a Catholic priest, and a Jewish rabbi-were among the first on deck, calming the men and handing out life jackets. When they ran out of jackets, they took off their own life jackets and placed them on waiting soldiers. About 18 minutes after the ship was hit, they were the last to be seen by witnesses as the ship went down. They were standing arm-in-arm on the hull, each praying in his own way for the care of the men. Almost 700 died, making it the third largest loss at sea of its kind for the United States during World War II. The escorting Coast Guard cutters were able to save only 230 men from the frigid waters that night.

The four chaplains were Father John Washington, Reverend Clark Poling, Rabbi Alexander Goode, and Reverend George Fox. These four were later honored by Congress and Presidents. They were recognized for their selfless acts of service, compassion, and faith. According to the First Sergeant on the ship, “They were always together-they carried their faith together.” Throughout the voyage and in their last moments they demonstrated interfaith compassion in their relationships with the men and with each other. In 1960, Congress created a special Congressional Medal of Valor, never to be repeated again, and gave it to the next of kin of the

Immortal Chaplains. (2)

Four Chaplains on the  Sea of Glory

(Words, Orrin G. Hatch / Music, Janice Kapp Perry)

(Soloist, Marvin Payne)

(CD – Heal Our Land)

Through dark of night a ship sailed on the water
Nine hundred men at war, so far from home
The icy sea from Newfoundland to Greenland
A battlefield upon the ocean foam
The deadly force of enemy torpedoes
Then broke the eerie silence of the night
And chaos reigned as blood revealed the horror-
Some men would live but some would surely die

Chorus

    Four Chaplains, men of diff’rent faith
    Men of honor, true and brave
    Gave life preserving jackets to their men
    And when there were no more to give
    They willed that four more men would live
    As willingly . . . they gave their own

Then quietly they walked among the wounded
Without regard for color, race or creed
Speaking words of hope to those despairing
Hurrying to meet each human need
Their legacy will live throughout the ages
Two Protestants, one Catholic and a Jew
Who gave their all while knowing death awaited
True holy men who did what God would do

Repeat chorus

In majesty they rode that sea of glory
Giving all that any man could give
Not knowing that the world would hear the story
Of how they died that other men might live

Four chaplains of uncommon faith
Born to serve, and born to save
Stood arm in arm upon that sinking ship
Dying with a prayer upon their lips

The Story of Orrin’s Brother, Jesse

When I first suggested to Orrin that we write a song honoring his older brother Jesse who was one of many heroes who died in the most famous bombing raid of  World War II-the raid which destroyed Hitler’s oil supplies-his demeanor told me that this was still a very tender subject for him. After a little time had passed he agreed to open his heart and share Jesse’s story. We worked a bit differently on this particular song. One day I sat with pencil and pad in hand as Orrin related in great detail his brother’s story. He was telling the story from which I would then write the lyrics. I took careful notes, determined to use Orrin’s own words in the lyrics as much as possible.

Jesse Morlan Hatch, Orrin’s older brother, was listed as missing in action when Orrin was only ten years old. His death was deeply felt by young Orrin to the extent that a thatch of his hair in front turned completely white within days of hearing this tragic news. It was two years before the Hatch family received Jesse’s remains and were able to bury him. Orrin had idolized his brother who built scores of model airplanes in his youth and vowed that someday he would fly clear up to kingdom-come!  As you follow along with the lyrics you will know the story exactly as Orrin related it to me.

Someday I’ll Fly

(Words, Orrin G. Hatch / Music, Janice Kapp Perry)

(Soloist, Randy Porter)

(CD – Heal Our Land)

Jesse was born with a dream to fly
A fire in his soul he could not deny
He worked with a zeal he could not explain
Til his boyhood home was filled model planes

Jesse grew tall as the years flew by
His dream was delayed but it would not die
He lived for the day that he knew would come
When he’d fly a plane clear up to kingdom come

Chorus

    He said, “Watch little brother, someday I’ll fly
    Up toward heaven through clear blue skies
    Up where the air is pure and clean
    Up where the face of God can be seen”

Jesse was grown when the war began
And he volunteered with his countrymen
He fought with the best til the very end
Then the plane he flew was never seen again

Twenty-four months til his fate was known
His earthly remains were returned back home
We buried him deep under somber skies
And I heard these words and felt his spirit fly

Repeat chorus

Now I live my life for two it seems
Once for Jesse, and once for me
He gave his life for his country’s cause
Then he flew right up to the arms of God

Repeat chorus

Arlington National Cemetery

“Best known of all national cemeteries in the United States, Arlington’s green slopes shelter  veterans from every war that has involved the nation.

I had read about Arlington National Cemetery for decades and had been fascinated with stories I had heard and beautiful pictures I had seen, but until I stood in that cemetery one morning just as  sunlight was breaking over the dew-covered green grass illuminating the thousands of neatly-ordered white crosses, I could never have imagined the feelings this scene would evoke. Tears filled my eyes instantly as I caught my breath at the sight of such exquisite beauty and peace. Few experiences have inspired such a profound reverence in me.

Later as I watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, performed with such precision and dignity, and read the inscription there: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known only to God,” I felt quite overwhelmed by the experiences of the morning. I felt a burning desire to somehow capture those feelings in song.

Later when I approached Orrin with this idea and suggested the song title, “Morning Breaks on Arlington,” he loved the idea immediately and began pondering the lyrics. He has relatives buried in Arlington and has experienced the same feelings I had, many times on visits to this beautiful site. This song is a favorite of mine on one of our patriotic

Morning Breaks on Arlington

(Words, Orrin G. Hatch / Music, Janice Kapp Perry)

(Soloist, Felicia Sorenson)

(CD – Freedom’s Light)

Morning breaks on Arlington, warmed by rays of golden sun
And all who pause in homage there feel a soft hush in the air
Those who love their liberty, bow the head and bend the knee
And from their hearts they breathe a silent prayer:

“Thank God for all who rest in honor there.”

The lush green grass at Arlington shimmers in the morning sun
As pure white crosses seem to glow, sentinels in perfect rows
Everyone who lives and breathes wonders at the sight of these
Who gave to us a gift beyond compare

“Thank God for all who rest in honor there.”

Home of the Eternal Flame, of humble heroes without name
Whose graves are guarded day and night
Keeping memory burning bright
Those who gave so much for us, bravely said, “In God we Trust”
Now they are safe in His eternal care

“Thank God for all who rest in honor there.”

Our nation’s flag now takes the breeze, waving over all of these
And heaven smiles upon each silent one
As morning softly breaks on Arlington

(1) Orrin G. Hatch, 2001, lyrics from the song “Put Your Hand Over Your Heart

(2) The Immortal Chaplains Foundation, Box 18734, Minneapolis, MN 55418

(3)  Arlington National Cemetery, “Official Guide,” 1999.